Name _____________________ 

The internal structure of the Earth 

Read the definitions and fill in the blanks, and then label the 
diagram below 

Crust​ - the ​_ _ _ _ _​ surface of the Earth. The crust is quite 

thin like the ​_ _ _ _​ of an orange and is thinner under the 
_ _ _ _ _ _.  

Inner core​ - the solid iron-nickel ​_ _ _ _ _ _ ​of the Earth 

that is very ​_ _ _​ and under great pressure.  

Mantle​ - a rocky ​_ _ _ _ _​ located under the ​_ _ _ _ _.​ It is 

extremely​ hot – about ​_ _ _ _​ degrees C. 

Outer core​ – made of metal so hot that is ​_ _ _ _ _ _.​ This 

layer moves slowly and produces a ​_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ​field.

outer layer oceans  centre crust 

 
hot skin magnetic liquid 5000 
Earth’s Structure Worksheet
Use information from the following website: to color in the earth and label
http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/structure.html
Earth’s Structure Worksheet
Use information from the following website:
http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/structure.html

Label the Layers of the Earth.

Write information about each layer in the boxes below.

Name: __________________________________________ Date: _______________

Inside Earth WebQuest: Worksheet

Introduction: 
A Webquest is a way for you to explore a topic, such as “The Layers of the Earth” and find 
useful information to help you understand the topic. In this webquest, you will be visiting 
web sites that will help you better understand the Earth's interior, continental drift, plate 
tectonics and how these topics fit together.  
 
Directions: 
 
 Using search engines (google, bing, duck duck go, yahoo, ask, etc.) and the internet links 
provided answer the questions below to learn more about the layers of the earth.  
 
Earth's Interior 
Earth is many thousand kilometers in depth. If you could travel deep into the Earth's 
surface you would find it contains three main layers: the crust, the mantle and the core. To 
learn more about the layers of Earth, search the internet and click on the following links and 
answer the questions that follow: 
 
Read the Definitions. Using the internet, answer the questions that follow: 
 
crust​ - the rigid, rocky outer surface of the Earth, composed mostly of basalt and granite. 
The crust is thinner under the oceans. 
 
Question: What type(s) of rock(s) are basalt and granite? 
 
Question: How were these rocks formed? 
 
inner core​ - the solid iron-nickel center of the Earth that is very hot and under great 
pressure. 
 
Question: What is the inner core made of? 
 
mantle​ - a rocky layer located under the crust - it is composed of silicon, oxygen, magnesium, 
iron, aluminum, and calcium. Convection (heat) currents carry heat from the hot inner mantle 
to the cooler outer mantle.   
 
Question: The mantle is divided into two sections. What do we call the top half section of 
the mantle? 
 
Question: What do we call the bottom half section of the mantle? 
 
Question: The mantle the thickest layer of the Earth. How thick is it? 
 
Question: What types of currents are formed in the mantle? 
 
outer core​ - the molten iron-nickel layer that surrounds the inner core. 
 
Question: What is the outer core made of? 
 
Now, go to the following link:  
Composition of the Earth 
(http://www.ducksters.com/science/composition_of_the_earth.php) 
 
Composition of the Earth: 
 
1. Is the Earth one solid piece of Rock? 
 
2. Are some of the parts of the Earth constantly moving? 
 
3. Why can we compare the Earth to an onion? 
 
4. What are the four main layers of the Earth? 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
 
6. What is the crust?  
 
7. Is the mantle thicker or thinner than the crust? 
 
8. What are plate tectonics? 
 
9. Do these plates move? 
 
10. What happens when these plates bump up against one another? 
 
11. Is the outer core a liquid or solid? 
 
12. Why is the Earth’s outer core so important to the Earth? 
 
 
 
13. Why is the Earth’s inner core a solid and not a liquid, even though it is very, very hot? 
 
 
Now go to: ​Earth Layers Interface 
(http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/606/deploy/interface.html) 
 
Click ​START 
 
Click on the diagram to learn more about the Earth’s Layers. Answer the questions. 
 
First, click on the ​Crust. 
 
1. What can be found on the Earth’s crust? 
 
2. Where is the crust thicker – under the continental shelf or under the oceans? 
 
Now click on the ​Lithosphere 
 
3. The lithosphere contains part of the crust and the upper mantle. What does lithosphere 
mean? 
 
4. What part of the Earth can be found in the lithosphere? 
 
5. How can the lithosphere move? 
 
Now, click on the ​asthenosphere 
 
6. How does the rock move in the asthenosphere? 
 
Now, Click on the ​Mantle​. 
 
7. What layers make up the mantle? 
 
8. How thick is the mantle? 
 
Now, Click on the ​Outer Core​. 
 
9. The outer core is “molten”. What do you think that means? 
 
10. The core is responsible for what? 
 
 
Lastly, click on ​inner core​. 
 
11. Is the inner core a liquid or solid? Why? 
 
12. How hot is the inner core? 
 
Now, exit out of this section and go to: ​Label the Earth Diagram 
(http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/activities/label/labelearth.shtml) 
 
Label and color the Earth Diagram